Craftsman Drill Press

[ttpete]

thanks Frank. The chuck measurements are similar to the bit. I did not isolate the location of the high point, just the delta when turning the assembly. There is some pitting inside the chuck taper, but no obvious scratches. The jaws looked clean.

I'll keep tinkering. And looking for another chuck to try out and compare.

You might try using Prussian blue on the taper, then just hold the chuck up over it and rotate to see where any high spots are.

 

[bubinga]

Re: The Classic Craftsman 100/150 Drill Press

LoL! Yes, Don Sparks. I didn't make that connection.
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It's a 4-step cone pulley, model SCA44 and roughly 2", 2½", 3¼" & 4" steps.

I also have a couple of those adjustable pulleys and never had an opportunity to use one.

Good Score Frank Lee.

 

[ericlar80]

This video is not mine, but I have the same drill press and trying to figure out where to locate the craftsman model number. I can see the motor number but not the primary one...

Thanks

 

[FrankLee]

This video is not mine, but I have the same drill press and trying to figure out where to locate the craftsman model number. I can see the motor number but not the primary one...

Thanks

The model information plate on that machine is on the rear of the head frame by the motor. You can catch a glimpse at 1:01 into the video.

 

[circa1964]

Hello! I am a new member. I am in the market to buy a Craftsman Seeley 150 drill press. I am looking at one in my region that has been restored - full tear down, bearings, belts, lube, de-rusted, repaint, etc. It also has the variable speed control pulley. I am wondering on the price. What range of price would a drill press like this go for? Many new drill presses - a decent one - cost from about $400 to well over a grand. I just need a price range for something like this before I go into negotiations. Any info will help! Thanks and I love this thread! Cheers!

 

[FrankLee]

dp#49

dp#49 is an Atlas model 1045. It's got a #2MT spindle, slow speed pulleys, 3/4 hp motor and missing several parts. It may have been originally a bench model, but the base has a Craftsman tag attached. The column is 48" tall, solid steel and weighs about 81 pounds.

The seller also threw in a box of other parts.

I think this will have to be a part-out.

​

Hello! I am a new member. I am in the market to buy a Craftsman Seeley 150 drill press. I am looking at one in my region that has been restored - full tear down, bearings, belts, lube, de-rusted, repaint, etc. It also has the variable speed control pulley. I am wondering on the price. What range of price would a drill press like this go for? Many new drill presses - a decent one - cost from about $400 to well over a grand. I just need a price range for something like this before I go into negotiations. Any info will help! Thanks and I love this thread! Cheers!

That is technically a Craftsman 100 head frame casting. I'm not a purist by any means, but IMO, there are just way too many parts that are not original

• motor
• motor mount
• motor pulley
• spring tension knob
• quill lock knob
• feed handles and hub
• spindle thrust nut is missing
• table and head frame lock handles would not be that style
• the base is from a later gen Emerson machine

It looks like a lot of extra parts were assembled to build a machine. IMO, the slow speed pulley and the xy table don't make up for the lipstick.

circa's questions were answered in this thread:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=405009

 

[paulm12]

quite the deal on the drill press and parts. Why did you decide this one is a parts machine?

 

[FrankLee]

quite the deal on the drill press and parts. Why did you decide this one is a parts machine?

There are quite a few missing parts. The column is a 48" long solid piece of round bar and weighs a ton; too long for a bench unit, too short for a floor standing unit.

The spindle has a taper end which narrows the resale market.

 

[paulm12]

Yeah, I guess the fact that you are on #49 implies a need for parts. I'm on #2 and thinking about acquiring a few parts too. .

 

[CarbonCrew]

Hey guys, I’ve got an old Delta-Rockwell DP that I’m in the process of refurbishing. I’ve already gotten a lot of good tips from this thread and was hoping to a bit of advice. I’m down to the point of cleaning up the column. I don’t have a lathe so it looks like I’ll be using the sanding belt method. What grits of sand paper should I get to make the quickest work of this task? The column isn’t in too bad of condition. I’d say the result is light. Thanks for the advice!


Pic of the column. Can’t get it to load for some reason.
https://i.imgur.com/fhUKrYR.jpg

 

[Outlawmws]

You don't need a lathe for that. block the column horizontally in saddles with rags padding it, and drive it with a hand drill on slow.

You can rough in an end block wedged in and center drill it, or screw in a larger, longer, wood screw, and cut the head off, and that's your "drive pin"

 

[FrankLee]

Hey guys, I’ve got an old Delta-Rockwell DP that I’m in the process of refurbishing. I’ve already gotten a lot of good tips from this thread and was hoping to a bit of advice. I’m down to the point of cleaning up the column. I don’t have a lathe so it looks like I’ll be using the sanding belt method. What grits of sand paper should I get to make the quickest work of this task? The column isn’t in too bad of condition. I’d say the result is light. Thanks for the advice!


Pic of the column. Can’t get it to load for some reason.

IIRC, I use a used 6x48", 120 grit belt, but its getting clogged and less effective.

I was looking for a new belt and thought the backing on the HF belts were rather stiff. I'm still looking for a good option.


FYI, when posting from IMGUR, remove the "s" from the https

Example:
http://i.imgur.com/fhUKrYR.jpg

 

[Shiftless]

outlaw has the best idea

 

[FrankLee]

To determine the head, a 100 is a 15" drill and a 150 is a 15½" drill.

If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

Craftsman catalogs from 1948 to 1955 list the Craftsman 100 drill press as 15 inches.

Craftsman catalogs from 1956 to 1966 list the Craftsman 100 and Craftsman 150 drill presses as 15½ inches.

In reality, ALL larger Craftsman drill presses from 1948 to 1966 are, in fact, 15½ inches. The earlier catalogs were incorrect. Most parts are interchangeable.

...

I measured my 15" drill and it barely makes the 15½" swing.
True the head frame part number is the same between the advertised 15" and 15½" drills.
I'm guessing tolerances were adjusted in order to consistently get the later 15½" swing.

...

WTF? If your 15" drill barely makes the 15½" swing, then maybe your 15" drill press is really a 15½" drill press.

http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=198909&p=1391483#p1391483

http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=99498&p=677746#p677746

 

[FrankLee]

The quotes in my post above are from another website. That guy is not getting it. I was banned there (no great loss), so I couldn't continue the debate. Why would K-S retool molds and machinery to adjust tolerances 1/4"?

Does anyone have a Craftsman drill press 103.2313n or 103.2314n that measures 7½" from column to point?

​

 

[Cruzan80]

Re: The Classic Craftsman 100/150 Drill Press

Frank, I have a '47 "100" that I can measure.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Outlawmws]

I just checked my Early 100 and its 7-3/4 - 15-1/2"

 

[FrankLee]

dp#50

I just checked my Early 100 and its 7-3/4 - 15-1/2"

Thanks Outlaw. I'm quite certain that a 15" Craftsman 100 only exists in catalogs and does not physically exist.



Here's dp#50. It's another '52/'53 model 103.23130 and missing only a couple original parts. The aux table, belt, table lock handle and chuck key were not included.

​

 

[sheltonfilms]

Re: The Classic Craftsman 100/150 Drill Press

Test fitted my 13 1/2 benchtop handle on my 15 1/2” floor model. I still think this handle design is stronger (no zamak components being stressed).




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[FrankLee]

Re: The Classic Craftsman 100/150 Drill Press

Test fitted my 13 1/2 benchtop handle on my 15 1/2” floor model. I still think this handle design is stronger (no zamak components being stressed).

I really like that and have to agree!

The older handles with the 3/8-16 stubs are often bent (like all three of mine on dp#50).

 

[sheltonfilms]

Re: The Classic Craftsman 100/150 Drill Press

I really like that and have to agree!



The older handles with the 3/8-16 stubs are often bent (like all three of mine on dp#50).

Mine has the smaller threaded ends and a couple were bent already. I don’t know if posted this way back when I got it, but the hub was broke where the pin goes and the PO drilled another hole and stuck a bolt in it to hold. You ever seen one broke in this way?




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[FrankLee]

Re: The Classic Craftsman 100/150 Drill Press

Mine has the smaller threaded ends and a couple were bent already. I don’t know if posted this way back when I got it, but the hub was broke where the pin goes and the PO drilled another hole and stuck a bolt in it to hold. You ever seen one broke in this way?

No, not that bad. I believe I had one that was cracked at that hole, but no chunk missing. You gotta wonder how these things happen.

 

[sheltonfilms]

My best guess is they thought they could use these as an arbor press. Either that or they were going crazy with the force trying to get a dull drill bit to go through some tough steel.


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[erik a]

I just picked up a early 50's 100. Decent condition...except... the spindle pulley splines are shot. If I recall correctly, someone suggested JB Weld.

Has anyone else come up with a better solution?

Thanks,

Erik A

 

[rvogel]

Can anyone help me with a return spring on a craftsman 101.0358. I took off the cap and it unwound so fast! I obviously wasn't ready for that. As you can imagine I spent two hours and could not get it back in so I bought another tightly wound with a metal strap. Now I need help?

 

[sheltonfilms]

I just picked up a early 50's 100. Decent condition...except... the spindle pulley splines are shot. If I recall correctly, someone suggested JB Weld.

Has anyone else come up with a better solution?

Thanks,

Erik A

Are they worn or are they fully worn away? Got a picture?

 

[DCSchenectady]

Hi all. Thanks for the great information in this thread.

I recently purchased a late 1940s Craftsman 100 model 103.23140 drill press that I am in the process of getting back to working order.

I am trying to decide if I should paint the base in its entirety or sand and polish the slotted flat area and leave it bare. It looks like most of the machines from this era are painted.

Is there a benefit to polishing the raised slotted area? Or should I paint over it?

More pictures to come once the machine is finished...

 

[FrankLee]

Hi all. Thanks for the great information in this thread.

I recently purchased a late 1940s Craftsman 100 model 103.23140 drill press that I am in the process of getting back to working order.

I am trying to decide if I should paint the base in its entirety or sand and polish the slotted flat area and leave it bare. It looks like most of the machines from this era are painted.

Is there a benefit to polishing the raised slotted area? Or should I paint over it?

More pictures to come once the machine is finished...

Welcome DC!

I was in the same boat with dp#46.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7416010#post7416010


After cleaning it still looked rough.

​

I decided to sand it down. Because that plateau was not milled flat at the factory, I did not get the results I hoped after sanding.

​

My suggestion is to soak it with liquid Zud or liquid Barkeeper's Friend and scrub it with a small plastic scrub brush. It can make a huge difference. Then, decide whether repainting is appropriate.

 

[DCSchenectady]

Based on FrankLee's experience I decided to paint rather than sand the flat portion of the base. Went with a non-traditional "Oasis Blue." I like it.

I got everything back together last night. It's hard to believe this machine is over 70 years old (Craftsman model 100 from 1947 with a Multi-Speed Attachment and 1/2 HP Motor - 103.23140). It purrs!

I enjoyed learning more about the history of this drill press, which appears to have been built by the Central Specialty Division of King-Seeley. If any of you know the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti, you may have had a beer just a few blocks from where these were made. (Information available on Vintage Machinery)

A few notes on the process:

-The original motor mount bolts (the two that immobilize the steel rails) were weak or already broken and the first slight twist of a wrench led to both of them breaking off. Had to track down a local machinist to extract them. He also ground flats onto the rails to keep future burring from hindering movement of the rails. I sanded the ends of the new retaining bolts (per the instructions here) to minimize other problems as well.

-Everything came apart fairly easily and most parts still had generous amounts of oil/grease. Thank you, Previous Owner!

-Cleaned everything according to the instructions posted by members on here (huge thanks to this excellent compilation of information). I didn't go CRAZY, but cleaned where it mattered. I could have spent another hour sanding the column, but....

-Replaced spindle and pulley bearings. I cleaned and repacked the motor bearings (I may replace them in the future). Also replaced the power cord.

-Replaced THE 27" and 29" V-Belts for the Multi-Speed Attachment based on the recommendations here.

-Purchased O-rings from FrankLee. The original rubber spindle washer was compressed a 1/16" and wasn't placing any load on the spindle bearings. A new washer made all the difference.

-I followed instructions on here for reassembly (with the help of original product manuals on Vintage Machinery as well) and was pleased when it turned back back on and just sang.

Aside from the initial problem with the broken bolts, the machine presented few challenges. Can't wait to put it to use. Now I wonder how many more of these machines are in my future...

-DC

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

Re: The Classic Craftsman 100/150 Drill Press

Looks great, good job renewing such a fine machine.


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[sheltonfilms]

Based on FrankLee's experience I decided to paint rather than sand the flat portion of the base. Went with a non-traditional "Oasis Blue." I like it.



I got everything back together last night. It's hard to believe this machine is over 70 years old (Craftsman model 100 from 1947 with a Multi-Speed Attachment and 1/2 HP Motor - 103.23140). It purrs!



I enjoyed learning more about the history of this drill press, which appears to have been built by the Central Specialty Division of King-Seeley. If any of you know the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti, you may have had a beer just a few blocks from where these were made. (Information available on Vintage Machinery)



A few notes on the process:



-The original motor mount bolts (the two that immobilize the steel rails) were weak or already broken and the first slight twist of a wrench led to both of them breaking off. Had to track down a local machinist to extract them. He also ground flats onto the rails to keep future burring from hindering movement of the rails. I sanded the ends of the new retaining bolts (per the instructions here) to minimize other problems as well.



-Everything came apart fairly easily and most parts still had generous amounts of oil/grease. Thank you, Previous Owner!



-Cleaned everything according to the instructions posted by members on here (huge thanks to this excellent compilation of information). I didn't go CRAZY, but cleaned where it mattered. I could have spent another hour sanding the column, but....



-Replaced spindle and pulley bearings. I cleaned and repacked the motor bearings (I may replace them in the future). Also replaced the power cord.



-Replaced THE 27" and 29" V-Belts for the Multi-Speed Attachment based on the recommendations here.



-Purchased O-rings from FrankLee. The original rubber spindle washer was compressed a 1/16" and wasn't placing any load on the spindle bearings. A new washer made all the difference.



-I followed instructions on here for reassembly (with the help of original product manuals on Vintage Machinery as well) and was pleased when it turned back back on and just sang.



Aside from the initial problem with the broken bolts, the machine presented few challenges. Can't wait to put it to use. Now I wonder how many more of these machines are in my future...



-DC

Maybe my new favorite color. What paint is that?


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[FrankLee]

Aside from the initial problem with the broken bolts, the machine presented few challenges. Can't wait to put it to use. Now I wonder how many more of these machines are in my future...

-DC

Excellent work and very nice summary!

 

[bubinga]

Based on FrankLee's experience I decided to paint rather than sand the flat portion of the base. Went with a non-traditional "Oasis Blue." I like it.

I got everything back together last night. It's hard to believe this machine is over 70 years old (Craftsman model 100 from 1947 with a Multi-Speed Attachment and 1/2 HP Motor - 103.23140). It purrs!

I enjoyed learning more about the history of this drill press, which appears to have been built by the Central Specialty Division of King-Seeley. If any of you know the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti, you may have had a beer just a few blocks from where these were made. (Information available on Vintage Machinery)

A few notes on the process:

-The original motor mount bolts (the two that immobilize the steel rails) were weak or already broken and the first slight twist of a wrench led to both of them breaking off. Had to track down a local machinist to extract them. He also ground flats onto the rails to keep future burring from hindering movement of the rails. I sanded the ends of the new retaining bolts (per the instructions here) to minimize other problems as well.

-Everything came apart fairly easily and most parts still had generous amounts of oil/grease. Thank you, Previous Owner!

-Cleaned everything according to the instructions posted by members on here (huge thanks to this excellent compilation of information). I didn't go CRAZY, but cleaned where it mattered. I could have spent another hour sanding the column, but....

-Replaced spindle and pulley bearings. I cleaned and repacked the motor bearings (I may replace them in the future). Also replaced the power cord.

-Replaced THE 27" and 29" V-Belts for the Multi-Speed Attachment based on the recommendations here.

-Purchased O-rings from FrankLee. The original rubber spindle washer was compressed a 1/16" and wasn't placing any load on the spindle bearings. A new washer made all the difference.

-I followed instructions on here for reassembly (with the help of original product manuals on Vintage Machinery as well) and was pleased when it turned back back on and just sang.

Aside from the initial problem with the broken bolts, the machine presented few challenges. Can't wait to put it to use. Now I wonder how many more of these machines are in my future...

-DC

Looks great, good job renewing such a fine machine.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Maybe my new favorite color. What paint is that?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Excellent work and very nice summary!

Heck Yeah........Looks Great!!!!!!

 

[Unruh]

So much information on this thread! I'm thankful because I have a project.

I've been looking for an old school Craftsman drill for awhile now. Rswannabe tipped me off to one posted in my backyard on Craigslist. I tried contacting him but each time I clicked the contact button I would get an error message. I thought he had sold it and I missed out. Last night I saw that the guy reposted the drill. Guess he forgot to put any contact info before and that was the problem. It is rough! I got him to $50 down from $75. It was local and I’ve been looking for a bit. I’m pretty excited. Like I said I've said, I'm a teacher, so it looks like I have a project over Christmas break...if I can wait until then.

Anything standing out catching anyone's eye from the pic?

 

[FrankLee]

So much information on this thread! I'm thankful because I have a project.

I've been looking for an old school Craftsman drill for awhile now. Rswannabe tipped me off to one posted in my backyard on Craigslist. I tried contacting him but each time I clicked the contact button I would get an error message. I thought he had sold it and I missed out. Last night I saw that the guy reposted the drill. Guess he forgot to put any contact info before and that was the problem. It is rough! I got him to $50 down from $75. It was local and I’ve been looking for a bit. I’m pretty excited. Like I said I've said, I'm a teacher, so it looks like I have a project over Christmas break...if I can wait until then.


Anything standing out catching anyone's eye from the pic?

Welcome to the Craftsman Drill Press thread!

The first post in this thread has a table of contents of sorts. Check the Spotters Guide link to identify the size, model, and vintage of your machine.

Your machine looks complete from the front view. The table looks very good. It should clean up nicely.

What is the model number? What motor is installed?

 

[ericlar80]

So much information on this thread! I'm thankful because I have a project.

I've been looking for an old school Craftsman drill for awhile now. Rswannabe tipped me off to one posted in my backyard on Craigslist. I tried contacting him but each time I clicked the contact button I would get an error message. I thought he had sold it and I missed out. Last night I saw that the guy reposted the drill. Guess he forgot to put any contact info before and that was the problem. It is rough! I got him to $50 down from $75. It was local and I’ve been looking for a bit. I’m pretty excited. Like I said I've said, I'm a teacher, so it looks like I have a project over Christmas break...if I can wait until then.

Anything standing out catching anyone's eye from the pic?

Honestly, it looks like it would be a cream puff if you would just remove the surface grime. I would personally try to do just that, plus wax the paint, and take some fine steel wool and semichrome to the handles and see where you end up. Unless you really want to change the color, but you could do that over summer.

 

[Unruh]

Welcome to the Craftsman Drill Press thread!


What is the model number? What motor is installed?

Thank you! I’m excited to get going on it!

Model number is 103.23620. I found and printed off the manual. That should help me with deconstruction.

It has a Dunlap motor on it. I have already cleaned up a couple of them for my lathe and my bandsaw.

 

[Unruh]

Honestly, it looks like it would be a cream puff if you would just remove the surface grime. I would personally try to do just that, plus wax the paint, and take some fine steel wool and semichrome to the handles and see where you end up. Unless you really want to change the color, but you could do that over summer.

It has a little more rust on it than the picture shows. I’m planning on taking it apart and buffing a lot of it. I also wanna go with red for the color. I have a red Snap-on toolbox and it’ll be close to it once I mount it. I’m not familiar with semichrome, but I’ll look it up.

 

[Indexmill]

So much information on this thread! I'm thankful because I have a project.

Anything standing out catching anyone's eye from the pic?

It once had a vari-slow on it.

 

[Unruh]

I’m having some questions about the chuck. I saw online that maybe it is an adapter for a different chuck?

Also here is the motor on it. Runs quiet so I'm just going to clean it up good and repaint.